Christina Phillips - [Forbidden 02] Read Online Free PDF

barbaric pleasure.
    Wasn’t that what he intended?
    He’d done many unpalatable things in his life. Taking a woman by force, even if that woman happened to be an enemy, wasn’t one of them.
    And Morwyn wasn’t his enemy, no matter what she thought. Although he doubted she’d put up much resistance if he demanded her compliance. Not after the way her lush body had molded against his as he’d pinned her to the forest floor.
    He let out a measured breath, forced the memory aside. Now wasn’t the time to start with the erotic fantasies. He was behind schedule, his progress inevitably hampered by his unexpected traveling companion, and needed to make up the miles before they could rest this night.
    Much as it galled him to admit, the graveled highway certainly improved the speed of travel. Unfortunately it also made troop movement easier from one side of Britain to the other.
    But the rebels had no intention of fighting the Romans in the open countryside. Their strength lay in their knowledge of the land, the ability to melt into the forests and mountains. They’d weary the Legions with incessant attacks, demoralize their ranks, insidiously spread the rot from within.
    Gaul, the homeland of his father’s ancestors, had finally succumbed to Roman dominance during his great-grandfather’s lifetime.
    Eight years ago the first Legion contaminated Briton soil, the birthplace of his mother’s lineage. But it had been another three years before he’d taken heed of her kin’s call for rebellion.
    Two years later he’d buried his old life. But when they triumphed over their enemies, as they would, what then? He’d no longer be Dunmacos. Would no longer need to pretend an allegiance that turned his gut with disgust.
    He’d be free to return to his previous existence. Except there was nothing left for him to return to.
    At the first post house he pulled over to change horses.
    “Need any help?” He wondered if the woman was exaggerating the extent of her injuries, in an attempt to lower his guard. It wouldn’t work.
    She pressed her lips together and swung her leg over. “No, thank you.” She took her time reaching the ground and then swayed as if momentarily disorientated. “Are we stopping to eat?”
    He unhitched the saddle packs as a young boy ran from the stables to assist.
    “No.” When was the last time she’d eaten? He turned to the boy. “We’ll take bread and dates with us.” He had military rations but why use those when fresh food was available?
    Morwyn heaved a sigh and he glanced at her. She was looking at the timber-built post house with its flint courtyard as if she’d never seen anything like it before. She probably hadn’t. It had been constructed for use by the Emperor’s Imperial Post, and the only reason they could travel this way was because he’d been granted a special permit from the garrison’s commander.
    “Do you make this journey often?” She limped toward him and he glared at the way her eye had swollen shut since they’d left the forest. It looked as if she’d been punched in the face.
    “Rarely.” But he knew Camulodunon well. In his youth he’d spent a great deal of time in the ancient Briton town, before the Romans had invaded.
    It was different now. No longer the place that resided in his memories. But beneath the gaudy Roman veneer it was still the birthplace of his maternal blood kin.
    He jerked his head toward the building in silent command, and with a dark, sideways glance she obeyed.
    “The Romans must think highly of you if they trust you with their secrets.” The way she said it left no doubt that she wasn’t offering him a compliment.
    “They do.” Not enough to ordinarily trust him with such a mission. These top-level dispatches were usually entrusted only to Roman officers of the cavalry, not foreign auxiliaries, no matter how impressive their equine skills.
    It had not been without risk of discovery, but his persistent contamination of the food chain had